Headlight dimmer



1935- c. E. A. OLOUGHLIN HEADLIGHT DIMMER Filed April 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheei l InQen'borfz (LE/T. OLou 33 f r% I c. E. A. OLOUGHLIN I HEADLIGHT DIMMER Filed April 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fivenbor CE. .O'Louqhlin Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITE-D STATES PATENT QF IcE" HEADLIGHT DIMMER Charles E. A. OLoughlin, St. Paul, Minn.

Application April 20, 1931, Serial No. 531,421

5 Claims. (01. 240--48.6)

This invention relates to a dimming or nonglare device for a vehicle headlight. Headlights and other illuminating lights now carried by vehicles such as automobiles, are of considerable power, and when one vehicle approaches another, the lights often shine into the eyes of the driver so that he is practically blinded and cannot see the approaching vehicle or the road. Many accidents have occurred from such conditions.

It'is an object of this invention to provide a very simple and efficient device which canbe made at small expense and very easily installed on the headlights, which will effectively prevent glare into the eyes of the approaching driver and at the same time not in any way impair the lighting effect of the vehicle light. d

It is a further object to provide such a device made of sheet metal which is quite small and which has means by which it can be readily placed on and held on the lamp bulb of the headlight.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dimming or non-glare device preferably made of sheet metal, which has means at one end for embracing the plug portion of the lamp bulb and has a comparatively narrow portion extending forwardly from'said means over the top of the bulb, and also has a wider portion extending downwardly over the front of the bulb and having a width substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the bulb, with means for engaging the bulb at either side adjacent its forward portion. r

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide a non-glare device comprising a member preferably made of sheet metal, having at one end downwardly extending spaced'curved resilient arms adapted, to embrace the plug portion' of the bulb and hold the device thereon, a narrow portion extending forwardly from said arms preferably having a rounded portion and extending forwardlyof the maximum diameter of said bulb, the wider portion extending at either side of said narrow portion and downwardly and description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference char- '1 to 5, a portion of a headlight structure is shown,

acters refer to similar parts throughout'the several views, and in which:'

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a portion of a headlight structure, taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 2; I 5

Fig. 2 is a view inrfront elevation of the device;

Fig. 3 is a viewin side elevation of the device, certain other parts being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4 4; of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the reflector being shown in horizontal section;

Fig. 6 Ba view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modifiedform of the device;

Fig. '7 is a'view in front elevation of the parts shown in-Fig. 6; r

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the portion shown in Fig. 6, the reflector being shown in horizontal section; r I

Fig. 9'is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

'Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a still further modified form of the device; and

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs.

comprising a'refiectorl5 which is substantially of semi-spherical shape, and has a central rear hub 16. r A lamp socket 1'7 projects through the hub 16, the same being shown as having an L-shaped or bayonet slotl'la in its side, and this socket is adapted to receive the plug portion 18a of a lamp bulb 18,-the glass or transparent portion of thebulb extending forwardly from the plug portion 18a and having its front portion of semi-spherical shape. Plug portion 18a has a pin 18b projecting from the side thereof, which is 'moved into and engaged in the bayonet slot 17a to hold the bulb 18 in place; V

In accordance with the present invention, a non-glare shield 19 is provided, made of comparatively thin material, and in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the device. is shown as made from sheet metal. Said member 19 has at one end a clamping means in the form of semi-cylindrical downwardly curved resilient arms 19a adapted to embrace the plug portion 18a and tightly engage the same. Said arms 19a V are shown as having their lower ends 19b reversely curved. Member 19 has a narrow portion 190 extending forwardly from the arms 19a,

said portion 190 extending forwardly over the top of bulb 18 and being shown as having a partly circular portion connected to the arm 190 by a narrow tongue 19d. The portion 190 extends forwardly over the top of bulb 18 to a point adjacent or a short distance beyond the center of the bulb or the portion of greatest diameter. While portion 190 might be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 it is shown as having a V-shaped depression 19f formed therein over the top central portion of the bulb, thus forming a rib engaging the top of the bulb as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. A wider portion 19c extends outwardly from either side of portion 190 at its forward end, the same being shown as connectedv by the curved portions or fillets 19k. Portion 19c is of a width substantially the same or slightly greater than the width of the bulb 18, and said portion extends downwardly and forwardly over the bulb, having its lower edge disposed for themost part in a plane adjacent thehorizontal central plane of the bulb 18 or slightly therebelow. As shown in- Figs. 1, 3 and. 5, the top part of portion. 19c is substantially flat and its front portion 19g issumtantially vertical, while. substantially vertical side portions 19h extend downward at either side. At the rear of portions 19h are formed downwardly and outwardly curved prongs 191; which will be resilient and will engage the bulb 18 at opposite. sides. Portion 19:: is provided with a multiplicity of small holes 197' which extend horizontally from'front to rear thereof.

Inoperation ofthe-device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the same is placed on the lamp bulb as illustrated, and when saidybulb is illuminated, the light is prevented from passing upwardly and forwardly from the top side of the bulb by the portion 196. The portion 190 extending forwardlyover theltop of the bulb also prevents a glare being reflected from the reflector 15. The under surface of member 19 will be of high reflecting quality; and. thelight from bulb 18 will therefore be directed downwardly so that a wide band of light is projected bysaid bulb from the lowerhalfthereof. The light is thus directed downwardly onto the road and the efficiency of the light in lighting up the road is notimpaired. Some light can pass out forwardly through the holes 197 but-thislight. cannot be given an upward direction to shine: into the eyes of an approaching driver. The sides of the bulb 18 are not obstructed and the fullportion of the reflected light is thus obtained. The effect of member 19 whenthe headlight is viewed from thefront, is that there is a diverging area or wide band. of light passing forwardly from the headlight, and this is of greater dimension the greater distance the observer is from the light. Avery efficient lighting effect is maintained, and. yet, as above stated, it is impossible for the light to shine upwardly into the eyes of an approaching driver. The member 19 is designed to be positioned on the bulb without touching the. same over any great area. It will be seen from-Fig. 4 that the side edges of the circular part in portion 190 engage the. top. of the bulb and the. bulbisnot engaged by this circular part within said edges. Theapex of the rib or ridge formed by groove 19f engages the top of the bulb at one point, while the prongs 19i also engage the bulb. at spaced points. The bulb engaging portion 191 andresilient prongs 191' thus form a three-point contactwith the bulb forwardly of the resilientv arms 19a- The. prongs 191' being below the center of the bulb have a good gripping effect and the shield is held effectively in place. The member 19 thus not engaging the bulb over any great area, is not heated to a large extent by the heat of the bulb. As stated the portion 196 prevents light showing upwardly and forwardly directly from the bulb. Light, however, can pass upwardly and outwardly at either side of the narrow portion 190 and this light maintains a wide beam from the headlight. Some light from the bulb filament is also refiected by the under surface of the portion 19c downwardly to the lower front portion of the reflector. This light, of course, is not reflected upwardly at any large angle. 7

In Figs. 6, '7 and 8 a modified construction of the device is shown, the reflector 15, socket 1'7 and bulb 18 being the same as shown in Figs. 1 to 5.. A member 20 illustrated as formed of sheet material, is provided, and the same has at its rear end downwardly extending curved resilient arms 20a similar to the arms 19a already described. The arms 20a have their lower ends reversely curved as shown at 20b. A narrow portion 200 extends forwardly from the arms 200, this narrow portion also having a. partly cylindrical area connected to the arms 20a by the narrow portion 20d. Portion20c extends forwardly to a point or line some distance beyond the vertical center of bulb 18 or the plane of a greatest diameter, and said portion at its front end is bent upwardly and then horizontally as seen in Fig. 6, the same being then bent downwardly and disposed in a vertical plane and formed of semi-annular shape as shown at 20c.

Another similar send-annular plate 201 is disposed in a vertical plane some distance in. front of portion 20eand another plate 209 has a semiannular portion disposed in a. vertical plane some distance in front of plate 20f. The portions 20e, 20f and 20g are connected by a central strip- 20h. Tl'ieplate 20g-has a central somewhat semi-spherical portion 20: extending across and around the front of bulb 18 at its central front portion, the loweredge of portion 201' being formed on a convex curve and the central portionthereof having a downwardly extending and rearwardly bent eyelet 20 formed therein. A rather stiff resilient wire 21 is secured in the eyelet 209 andv extends rearwardly, the same being shaped substantially to follow the outline of bulb. 18 and the rear ends of wire 21 are secured to the ends 202) of the arms 20a. The lower edges of plates 20c, 20 and 209 are connected at thebottom portions by strips 20k which may be formed integral with plate 201;. The front portion of plate 209 is provided with a multiplicity of small rearwardly extending holes 2011..

In operation. of the device shown in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, the same will be placed on the lamp bulb with the arms 20a embracing the plug portion of the bulb. The device can be pressed downwardly over the top portion of the bulb and the ends of arms 20a will diverge to permit the same to pass over the plug portion of the lamp bulb and wire 21 will at the same time be expanded so that it will pass over the glass portion of the bulb. When the arms 28a approach each other to grip the plug portion of the bulb, the wire 21 also contracts so that it engages the sides of the bulb 18 at the I glass portion. The device is thus held firmly on the lamp bulb. The light from the bulb cannot shine upwardly and forwardly so as to glare into the eyes of an approaching driver. This is prevented by the plates 20e, 20f and 209. Some light can pass upwardly between said plates, the same being reflected from the inner sides thereof and some light can pass out through the holes 201a. This light, however, cannot cause any glare. The top portion 20c also prevents light passing upwardly from the top portion of the bulb so as to be reflected forwardly and upwardly. Suflicient light shines from the headlight to light the road in front and at either side, and only the light causing the glare is intercepted. The innerside of member 20 will have high reflecting qualities, so that the light shining thereagainst will not be absorbed. The device acts very efliciently to prevent glare without reducing the necessary light to any substantial degree.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a further modification of the device is shown, which is somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5. A member 22 of sheet material such as metal, is provided, and this has a rear portion comprising downwardly extending curved arms 2211 similar to the arms 19a and 20a already described. The member also comprises a narrow intermediate portion 220 having a partly circular area and being=connected at its rear side by a tongue 22d to the arms 22a. Portionr22c extends upwardly along the rear side of the glass portion of the bulb and then extends horizontally. A wider portion 22c extends at either side of the portion 22cand this portion extends from a line somewhat forwardly of the central portion of the bulb to a point some distance in front of the bulb, said portion 228 terminating in a semispherical surface. The rear portion 226 is formed on convex curves 22 as shown in Fig. 11. The front part of portion 22c has formed therein a multiplicity of small holes 22g.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is substantially the same as that for the device already described. The portion 22c extending down over the front of the bulb prevents any light shining upwardly and forwardly, and thus prevents glare in the eyes of an approaching driver. The portion 220 also prevents light shining vertically or vertically and rearwardly to the reflector so as to'be reflected forwardly and upwardly to cause glare. The light shining forwardly from the lower portion of the bulb is not intercepted and there is plenty of light on the road. Some light also shines throughthe holes 22g. The inside of the device will be made so as to have high reflecting quality, and practically no light from the bulb' 18 is entirely lost.

In practice it'has been found that if the devices are colored blue with'a highly reflecting enamel or coating, that very desirable results are obtained. The reflected light seems to be whiter and giveimproved results.

What is claimed is:-- V

. 1.- A non-glare shield for a vehicle light adapted to be mounted on the lamp bulb comprising a sheet metal member having means at its rear to embrace the plug portion of said bulb, a narrow portion of appreciably less'width than the bulb therebeneath extending forwardly from said means over the top of said bulb substantially to the portion of greatest diameter of said bulb and spaced therefrom throughout substantially its whole extent, and a wider portion with a flat front and flat sides extending forwardly and downwardly and laterally and downwardly respectively, to'a line well in front of said bulb and substantially in line with the vertical center thereof, said side portions having resilient tongues at their rear lower ends engaging the sides of said bulb below said line whereby said shield is held resiliently at front and rear and prevents upwardly and forwardly extending direct or reflected light, but permits light to pass upwardly at either side of said narrow portion and be reflected downwardly from the under surface of said flat front of said wider portion.

2. A non-glare shield for a vehicle light adapted to be mounted on the lamp bulb comprising a sheet metal member having means at its rear to embrace the plug portion of said bulb, a narrow portion of appreciably less width than the bulb therebeneath having convex side edges extending forwardly from said means and spaced from said bulb throughout substantially its whole extent, a contracted portion in front of said portion having means pressed downwardly therefrom engaging said bulb and a wide portion of substantially the width of said bulb extending forwardly from said contracted portionand having. a forwardly and downwardly extending plane surface of trapezoidal form and'side portions extending downwardly and outwardly also of trapezoidal form, said front and side portions merging into a substantially vertical portion of narrow height terminating in a horizontal line substantially at the vertical center of said bulb, and resilient means at the rear corners of said side portion engaging the sides of said bulb whereby a three-point contact is had with said bulb forwardly of said plug portion.

3. A non-glare shield for a vehicle light adapted to be mounted on a lamp bulb comprising a sheet of metal having curved downwardly extending resilient armsadapted to embrace the plug portion of said bulb, a comparatively narrow portion of appreciably less width than said bulb beneath the same extending forwardly from said arms over the top of said bulb to a point adjacent the widest diameter of said bulb and merging into a wider portion forwardly of said point, said wider portion having a substantially uniform width substantially the same as the widest diameter of said bulb and. extending some distance forwardly of said front end of said bulb and downwardly to a plane substantially at the vertical center of said bulb, whereby the top of said bulb is not wholly covered and light may extend upwardly and outwardly at the sides of said narrow portion to maintain a wide light beam and light may be reflected from the under surface of said wider portion downwardly, but no light can shine directly upwardly or forwardly or be reflected upwardly and forwardly at an appreciable angle.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3, said shield having a transverse V-shaped rib extending downwardly therein at the junction of said narrow portion and wider portion to engage the top of said bulb and give a three-point contact forwardly of said first mentioned resilent arms.

5. A non-glare shield for a vehicle lamp adapted to be mounted on the lamp bulb comprising a sheet metal member having resilient means at its rear end to embrace the plug portion of said bulb, a narrow portion extending forwardly from said means over the top of said bulb substantially to the point of greatest diameter of said bulb and formed to engage the top of the bulb at said point, a wider portion extending forwardly and downwardly at the front of the bulb having side portions and means at the rear part of said side portions adapted to engage the sides of the glass portion of the bulb whereby said bulb is engaged at three points and said device is held firmly in position thereon.

CHARLES E. A. OLOUGHLIN. 

